now we find out ten days later that al qaeda was involved in a planned attack in benghazi, dangerous poe tests continue in pakistan and throughout the muslim world. this morning, the commandant of our marine corps informed the capitol hill marines there are 153 marine units at the ready to protect u.s. consulates and embassies at the direction of the state department. they should be deployed. and he believed that the current danger may well last decades. the sobering truth hurts. was there actionable intelligence prior to this attack, and if there was not, why not? especially given recent intelligence reports, press reports and testimony by matthew olson, national counterterrorism center director. we are on a merry-go-round with this administration of excuses. there is no strong horse or weak horse. it's a merry-go-round that has to stop. the presiding officer: the senator from idaho. mr. crapo: mr. president, today we have heard a lot about the financial condition of this country. mr. irish: it's on the minds of everyone, it's on the forefront. but in addition to this, there are nat